2022 NFL Prospect Interview: Lamar Dixon, DB, University of Charleston (WV)

• Name: Lamar Dixon
• Height: 5’9”
• Weight: 185 lbs.
• Position: DB
• College: University of Charleston
• Twitter: DIXON9_
• Instagram: Dixon._9

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
My experiences as a student have been very fruitful since I am the only one in my family to make it this far education wise. It led me to understand and learn a lot on my own. Being a student allowed me to understand people. Being an introvert my whole life and applying those characteristics to class, students, communication, professors, etc., allowed me to understand the importance of taking a step back to watch others, situations, and my environment. Learning from people’s actions, decisions, and environmental upbringings showed me how to apply that knowledge and move forward and excel in my own life which is why I carry myself confidently and excel very well in the classroom and around campus. My major is Sports Business. My whole life, ever since I picked up a football at 8 years old, I always told myself that I wanted to stay as close to the game as possible. So, majoring in sports business has and will allow me to do just that. Whether it’s coaching, being a sports agent, opening up my own athletic performance facilities etc., my major will lead me down that path. In terms of participating in any other activities around campus, I have not, but I am excited to open up my mind to see what I can join this upcoming semester. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My teammates always tell me how my aggressive passion for the game of football is one of my best qualities. Taking the time to reflect on the type of athlete I am on the football field, I understand why my teammates would see such a quality in me. I’m very quiet on the sidelines, during warm ups, during drills, etc. I don’t really say much at all. I guess being a vocal leader isn’t for me, BUT when I step on the field, when it’s kickoff for game day, or when it’s my practice reps vs team periods, it’s like this violent explosion of passion, energy, and aggression. To me it’s who I am but to my teammates, I can see why they would say what they say about me.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
On the team, my role is to bring the energy that we lack. When I step on the field, my role is to make that big hit, force that fumble, make that pick, fly around like a human missile, all to show my teammates that we all can make plays no matter what the scoreboard shows. In other words, I believe that my role is to be a spark whenever the team needs one, and I love that role because when my teammates make plays, our energy becomes contagious, and we all start having fun, competing at a high level.

I personally feel like any scheme and position on the defensive side of the ball suits my skill set. But to go into depth, I feel like strong safety, outside linebacker (will backer), and nickel are all positions that suit my skill set. Even though I’m 5’9 185 lbs., these positions allow me to play my game. They allow me to be physical in the box and run, being aggressive, hands on, and rerouting receivers. Being closer to the line allows me to see the ball and get the ball more efficiently. I play man coverage and guard shiftier receivers in the slot. They can allow me to be who I am in any play, scheme, or down and distance. Playing the game with instinct is key for me. That’s why I like these positions and how they suit my skill set.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
I can’t recall any players in college that were the best. But the best player I played again in high school who is now a DB for the 49ers is Deommodore Lenoir

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
One of my teammates that impressed me the most is outside linebacker Jaleel Powell. Getting to UC from JUCO, I stood by myself. I trusted no one, talked to no one, and literally fought everyone on the football field. I came in with the mindset that I had EVERYTHING to prove. When I met Jaleel, he showed me how similar we are, our upbringing, our reason why we play the game, our play style was even the same. Yet, the biggest thing that impressed me about him was that he understood that everyone’s time is coming. My mindset was that I had to take what wasn’t mine, coming into UC. But he taught me that with patience my time will come. He impressed me and helped me learn valuable lessons.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
I was in JUCO and it was about 2weeks before I had to report back to school for fall camp. During those two weeks, I had family problems with my dad, my two sisters, my step family and my godmother which led to me being homeless. I went to sleep in the back of a library or at South Gate Park, praying that they would leave the bathrooms open late at night. I even just walked for hours and hours till the sun came up because I was scared to fall asleep because of the area I was in. The only choice I had was to head to Orange County where my JUCO was at. I hit up my boy from Orange County and asked him if I could crash there for a few nights. Knowing me I did not explain what was going on because I hate when people pity me and think down on me so I kept it to myself. The next couple days before camp my boys Kyre and Corey let me stay there rent free till I got back on the field. Overcoming that struggle definitely changed my perspective on life.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
Basketball is definitely a sport I would have been into if football was not in the picture. I’d definitely be a point guard and would model my game after the best point guard in the league, Russell Westbrook.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
One of the things I am most proud of is my beautiful baby boy, Anthony La’Maríous Dixon. I am proud of the young man he is becoming. I am proud of the blessings, lessons, and tribulations he has shown me. Each day of his life has magnified my purpose. He has shown me the essence of love, growth, and truth. La’Maríous is the reason why I am still becoming a better man every single second he takes a breath on this earth. I can speak for eternity about that young man, so to sum it up, Anthony La’Maríous Dixon is my definition of proud.

My biggest achievement is school. I grew up in Watts, California, one of the toughest parts of L.A. Growing up in poverty, violence, fear, gangs, you name it, I could have easily shifted my path. So, to still be pursuing both school and football is my best achievement of all time. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
This play happened back in JUCO. Orange Coast College vs East LA. It was huge because East LA recruited me to go there before Orange Coast did. So, once they found out I chose Orange Coast, the magnitude of the game flipped. Down a touchdown in the 4th quarter. It was 28 to 21. East LA was up with the football on the 30-yard line coming out. I was at DB on the strong side of the field. We ran a hard cover 2. My receiver did a slant and up, so I squeezed hard and played under the window of the sluggo since I had no immediate threat to the flats. Then I saw a shallow coming, so I high-low played it to bait the quarterback into throwing the shallow. Just as our defensive end was about to sack the quarterback, he threw it to the slant and up. As I saw the ball in the air, I put my foot in the grow and went to go get it and I picked it off. That play was beautiful because a couple drives before my boy, Corey Sampson, kept telling me, “Dixon it’s your time to make a play. A pick is coming. Go get it”. And it happened. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
Three NFL players with my build, play style, and attitude that I model myself after both on and off the field are Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu, Budda Baker, and Kenny Moore. All are 5’9 190. 

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
Rod Wave is medicine for me. He understands the pain, the grind, and the struggle. My life is basically a living testimony of Rod Wave and all of his music. His music speaks volumes to me. It correlates to my mind, body, and spirit. So, before games, after games, basically every second of the day, Rod Wave is playing throughout my mind.

What is your favorite comfort food?
Can’t go wrong with BBQ chicken. Best food there is. No question.

Do you have a favorite movie, TV show or actor?
Michael B Jordan is one of my favorite actors. Every movie with him just hit harder. With that being said, Black Panther was beautiful.

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
In my spare time, I train whether it’s field work, teaching my son all the sports in the world, weight lifting, flips because my son loves to see me do them. I also draw. I love artistic cartoon type drawings.

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?
Football is my identity. Football is who I am today and without it I would be lost and or still probably back in the projects in Watts. Football saved my life. It opened doors for me when I didn’t have a door to go through. It kept me safe, calm, and at peace. This beautiful game became my outlet. All the pain, struggle, and traumatizing moments that endured in my life have been built up to the point of no return, and football is the only thing that helps me release that pain. Every single day, I am fighting mental demons. I’m too small, I’m not big enough, I’m not fast enough, I’ll never make it, I’m not good enough, choose a different path, your goals are too big, you are unrealistic, find obtainable goals, football isn’t for you, go find a job, YOU’RE NOT TALL ENOUGH. The list goes on forever. But… with this game of football, it allows me to let all my mental limitations boil, burn, and explode outward into an aggressive passion that has no limitations. Football became a depiction of what I have been through in life. That’s why I play, work, and train how I do because this built-up tension is who I am. And football allows me to be that special person, not just on the field but in life as well.